Health Consequences of Weight Gain After Quitting Smoking
Overview of the Study
A recent investigation published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined the health implications of weight gain following smoking cessation. While quitting smoking presents numerous health advantages, particularly in enhancing cardiovascular health, it often leads to weight gain. This weight gain may result from a decrease in energy expenditure or an increase in appetite. The health effects associated with this weight gain have not been extensively studied.
Research Methodology
Researchers utilized data from the Nurses’ Health Study, the Nurses’ Health Study II, and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study to analyze the impact of weight gain after quitting smoking on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality from other illnesses. Participants with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease were excluded from the study starting from 1984, the baseline year for data collection.
The researchers organized the data into two-year cycles, categorizing participants based on their smoking cessation timeline. Transient smokers were defined as those who smoked, quit, and resumed smoking within the next cycle. Recent quitters had not smoked for one to three consecutive cycles, while long-term quitters had not smoked for over three cycles. Participants completed food-frequency questionnaires to assess their diets, which were scored using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index.
Findings on Type 2 Diabetes Risk
As the study progressed, a rising number of participants successfully quit smoking. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes was notably higher among recent smokers, peaking five to seven years after cessation. This increase in risk was directly correlated with weight gain during this period. Specifically, participants who gained over 10 kg had a risk level of 1.59, while those with gains of 5.1 kg to 10 kg, 0.1 kg to 5.0 kg, and no weight gain had corresponding risk levels of 1.36, 1.15, and 1.08, respectively.
Cardiovascular Disease Findings
Interestingly, the study found that weight gain did not elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and other causes among recent smokers decreased with weight gain compared to individuals who continued smoking.
Study Limitations
The study faced limitations, including potential inaccuracies in self-reported smoking status. Participants might have been inclined to misreport their smoking habits. Furthermore, the study’s demographic was predominantly white men working in healthcare, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion
The study concluded that the highest risk for type 2 diabetes occurred five to seven years after quitting smoking, particularly associated with weight gain. However, this weight gain did not correlate with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or mortality from other causes. The authors emphasized that the risk of type 2 diabetes linked to weight gain post-smoking cessation does not diminish the overall health benefits of quitting smoking.
Written by Monica Naatey-Ahumah, BSc
Reference: Hu,Y., GengZong, G., Liu, G., Wang, M., Rosner, B., Pan, A.,…Sun, Q. (2018). Smoking Cessation, Weight Change, Type 2 Diabetes, and Mortality. The New England Journal of Medicine, 379(7), 623-632.